Clutch purse with display of user-selectable decorative pieces

ABSTRACT

A clutch purse having a user-selectable display of decorative pieces is formed with a front display panel provided with a transparent window inset for viewing decorative pieces installed in the clutch purse, a shadow box portion having a divider panel with a plurality of magnetic cups thereon for holding user-selected decorative pieces installed on the magnetic cups, and a clutch portion openably hinged to the shadow box portion. The decorative pieces may be designed as a truffle in a candy cup with a magnetic piece at the bottom to attach to a magnet cup in the shadow box divider panel. The decorative pieces may be seen through s clear transparent window in the front display panel, and no artificial light source is needed to illuminate the decorative pieces.

This U.S. Patent Application claims the priority filing benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/050696 filed on Sep. 15, 2014, of the same inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel design and structural configuration for a clutch purse having a display for user-selectable decorative pieces (herein referred to as a “Shadow Clutch” purse). The Shadow Clutch purse is comprised of: a front display panel provided with a transparent window inset for viewing decorative pieces selected by a user and installed in the clutch purse; a shadow box portion having a divider panel with a plurality of magnetic cups thereon for holding user-selected decorative pieces, wherein the front display panel forms a front closure on a front side of the shadow box portion; and a clutch portion openably hinged to the shadow box portion and forming a back closure on a back side of the shadow box portion. A preferred embodiment and other parts and variations and modifications thereof are described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the Shadow Clutch purse from its front side for viewing its decorative display panel (w/o decorative pieces therein).

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the Shadow Clutch purse for viewing its decorative display panel (w/ decorative pieces therein).

FIG. 3A shows a perspective side view from the back of the Shadow Clutch purse, and FIG. 3B shows a perspective side view from the front of the Shadow Clutch purse.

FIG. 4 shows an inside left side view of the Shadow Clutch purse w/ decorative pieces installed on the decorative display panel.

FIG. 5 shows an inside right side view of the Shadow Clutch purse w/ decorative pieces installed on the decorative display panel (outside hinge shown).

FIG. 6 shows the decorative display panel with an array of magnetic cups for holding decorative pieces thereon.

FIG. 7 shows decorative display panel with magnetic cups overlaid w/ a front panel and clear window insert.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show decorative pieces w/ retainer magnets positioned and installed on the magnet cups, respectively.

FIG. 9 shows an open view of the Shadow Clutch purse showing its clutch portion and its decorative display portion.

FIG. 10 shows the Shadow Clutch purse with a more detailed view of the front display panel 10 open.

FIG. 11 shows a more detailed view of the Shadow Clutch purse with its clutch portion 30 open. A chain strap 36 enables the customer to wear the purse on the shoulder. It may be hooked onto two metal loops inside the clutch potion 30.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show top and bottom views of the Shadow Clutch purse, respectively. FIG. 13 shows a back view of the Shadow Clutch purse.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the Shadow Clutch purse is shown from its front side having three major sections: (1) a front display panel 10; (2) a shadow box portion 20 for holding user-selectable decorative pieces; and (3) a clutch portion 30. The front display panel 10 has a transparent window 12 that allows user-selected decorative pieces held on magnetic cups 22 in the shadow box portion 20 to be seen from the front side of the Shadow Clutch purse. In this view, the magnetic cups 22 are visible without decorative pieces installed therein. A clasp 24 allows the front display panel 10 to be opened from the shadow box 20. The clutch portion 30 contains a purse interior space for user items in a usual manner. A clutch clasp 34 allows the clutch portion 30 to be opened from the shadow box 20. The front display panel 10 and the shadow box portion 20 serve as the Shadow Clutch purse's unique two-part display structure for user-selected decorative pieces.

In a preferred embodiment, the Shadow Clutch purse may have overall dimensions as follows: 18 cm (length)×7 cm (width)×15.5 cm (height). The dimensions of the shadow box portion 20 of the Shadow Clutch purse may be as follows: 18 cm (length)×3.5 cm (width)×15.5 cm (height), while the dimensions of the clutch portion may be as follows: 18 cm (length)×3.5 cm (width)×15.5 cm (height).

The three major sections of the Shadow Clutch purse and other parts are described in further detail below.

FRONT DISPLAY PANEL

As shown in FIG. 1, the front display panel 10 of the Shadow Clutch is comprised of five main pieces: a front piece with a window inset 12, a top piece, a bottom piece, and two side pieces. The front piece with the window inset will serve as the front closure for the shadow box portion 20 of the Shadow Clutch purse. The bottom piece of the front display panel 10 will meet and close with a matching bottom piece of the shadow box portion 20. The two side pieces of the front display panel 10 will meet and close with matching side pieces of the shadow box portion 20. The dimensions of the front piece of the front display panel 10 may be as follows: 18 cm (length)×0.5 cm (width)×15.5 cm (height). The dimensions of the top and bottom pieces of the front display panel 10 may be as follows: 18 cm (length)×0.5 cm (width)×1.5 cm (height). The dimensions of the side pieces of the front display panel 10 may be as follows: 1.5 cm (length)×0.5 cm (width) ×15.5cm (height). The side pieces are matched up and adhered parallel to the right and left side of the front piece and the bottom piece is adhered to the bottom of the front piece, creating the corners of the front display panel closing the shadow box portion of the Shadow Clutch purse. The preferred material for the top, bottom and side pieces of the front display panel is opaque colored acrylic. A thin sheet of gold-tone metal (approximately 0.2 cm thick) may be adhered on top of the acrylic bottom and side pieces to create a polished finish.

Within the front display panel 10, there is a framed clear window inset 12 located in the center of the front piece. This window is positioned in the colored acrylic front piece to reveal the decorative pieces held behind in the shadow box section. For the transparent window, the colored acrylic frame forms a 3 cm border that surrounds the transparent window and its metal frame. The dimensions of the transparent window inset of the front piece may be as follows: 12 cm (length)×0.5 cm (width)×8.5 cm (height). The metal frame that surrounds the transparent window may be 0.25 cm thick, and is secured to the colored acrylic. The preferred material for the transparent window is clear acrylic and the preferred material for the frame surrounding the window is a 0.25 cm thick gold-tone metal.

SHADOW BOX PORTION WITH MAGNETIC CUP DIVIDER PANEL

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the Shadow Clutch purse with decorative pieces 26 installed in magnetic cups 22 of the shadow box portion 20.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show perspective side views from the back and front sides of the Shadow Clutch purse, respectively.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show inside left and right side views of the Shadow Clutch purse with decorative pieces 26 installed in the magnetic cups 22 of the shadow box portion 20.

FIG. 6 shows the shadow box 20 with an array of magnetic cups 22 for holding decorative pieces thereon.

FIG. 7 shows the shadow box 20 with magnetic cups 22 overlaid with the front display panel 10 provided with the clear window insert 12.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show user-selected decorative pieces 26 with magnetic base pieces 26 a held by retaining cup magnets 22.

The shadow box section 20 serves as a closure on one side of the clutch section 30 of the Shadow Clutch purse as well as a platform with an array of attachment devices such as magnetic cups for holding decorative pieces in the shadow box section. The dimensions of the divider panel may be as follows: 18 cm (length)×0.75 cm (width)×15.5 cm (height). In the divider panel, there may be six magnetic cups, which may be formed simply as hollowed-out magnetic pieces arranged in the center of the divider panel in two rows with three magnetic cups in each row. The first and last magnet cups in both rows may be 4 cm from the left and right edges of the divider panel, and each of the magnet cups may be spaced 2 cm apart from each other. The magnet cups may be recessed 0.5 cm deep into the 0.75 cm-thick divider panel, which allows 0.25 cm of the panel to create a divider between the magnets and the clutch portion of the Shadow Clutch purse. The base and sides of each magnet cup may be 0.25 cm thick, leaving room at the top for mating with a magnetic piece on the bottom of a decorative piece that rests on top the magnet base. The dimensions of each magnetic piece adhered to the bottom of a decorative piece may be as follows: 2 cm (diameter)×0.25 cm (height). The magnetic cups and their corresponding magnetic pieces may be custom manufactured. The preferred material for the divider panel is colored acrylic.

Since the shadow box portion 20 with magnetic cup divider panel also serves as the closure on the other side of the front display panel 10, its top, bottom and side pieces will meet and mate with the corresponding pieces of the front display panel 10 of the Shadow Clutch purse. The dimensions of the top and bottom pieces may be as follows: 18 cm (length)×0.5 cm (width)×2 cm (height). The dimensions of the side pieces may be as follows: 2 cm (length)×0.5 cm (width) ×15.5 cm (height). The side pieces are matched up and adhered parallel to the right and left sides of the magnetic cup divider panel and the bottom piece is adhered to the bottom of the panel, creating the corners of the magnetic cup divider panel between the shadow box section and the clutch section of the Shadow Clutch purse. The preferred material for the four pieces of the magnetic cup divider panel is opaque colored acrylic. A thin sheet of gold tone metal (approximately (0.2 cm thick) may be adhered on top of the acrylic magnetic divider panel and side pieces to create a polished finish.

CLUTCH PORTION WITH BACK PANEL

The clutch portion 30 with back panel of the Shadow Clutch purse is comprised of five main pieces: a back panel piece, top and bottom pieces, and two side pieces. The back panel piece will serve as the back closure of the clutch section 30 of the Shadow Clutch purse. The top and bottom pieces will serve as the top and bottom pieces of the clutch section, and the side pieces will serve as the two sides of the clutch section. The dimensions of the back panel piece of the Shadow Clutch purse may be as follows: 18 cm (length)×0.5 cm (width)×15.5 cm (height). The dimensions of the top and bottom pieces may be as follows: 18 cm (length)×0.5 cm (width)×3.5 cm (height). The dimensions of the side pieces may be as follows: 3.5 cm (length)×0.5 cm (width)×15.5 cm (height). The side pieces are matched up and are adhered parallel to the right and left sides of the back panel piece and the bottom piece is adhered to the bottom of the back panel piece, creating the corners of the back panel for the clutch section of the Shadow Clutch purse. The preferred material for all four pieces of the back panel is opaque colored acrylic. A thin sheet of gold tone metal (approximately 0.2 cm thick) may be adhered on top of the acrylic bottom and side pieces to create a polished finish.

OTHER PARTS

FIG. 9 is an open view showing the clutch portion 30 with a chain stopper 35 that restricts its opening from the shadow box portion 20 of the Shadow Clutch purse.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show more detailed views of the Shadow Clutch purse with the shadow box 20 open and the clutch portion 30 open, respectively.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show top and bottom views of the Shadow Clutch purse, respectively. The front display panel and the magnetic cup divider panel may be joined together by three small hinges 37 on the bottom of the Shadow Clutch purse, and bottom pegs 38 enable it to stand up vertically on a surface with clearance for the hinges.

FIG. 13 shows a back view of the Shadow Clutch purse.

The front display panel 10 and shadow box section 20 with magnetic cup divider panel may be joined together by three small hinges 37 on the bottom of the Shadow Clutch purse. The approximate dimensions of each small hinge may be as follows: 2.5 cm (length)×0.25 cm (width)×0.25 cm (height). In addition, the magnetic cup divider panel and the clutch portion back panel may be secured together by two larger hinges on the bottom of the Shadow Clutch purse. The approximate dimensions of each large hinge may be as follows: 4 cm (length)×0.5 cm (width)×0.5 cm (height). If opened one at a time, the hinges will allow the shadow box section to open to 180 degrees. However, if the sections of the Shadow Clutch purse are opened simultaneously, each section may open at a right angle of 90 degrees without a chain stopper. Gold-tone metal is the preferred material for all four hinges.

Inside the clutch portion, there may be a chain stopper 35 that restricts the Shadow Clutch purse from opening beyond 180 degrees. The chain stopper may be attached to two metal squares with jump rings on the inside on the right side. One of the metal squares may be located on the upper side or the right panel of the clutch portion back panel and the other may be positioned at the same height on the magnetic cup divider panel on the right side. When the Shadow Clutch purse is opened, the chain stopper should open to a 45 degree angle. The two square pieces of metal may be 1.25 mm thick, the jump rings may be approximately 3 mm in diameter, and the chain stopper may be about 1.5 mm in diameter and approximately 12 cm in length. The preferred material for the square pieces, jump ring and chain is a gold-tone metal.

Inside the clutch portion, there may be also a chain strap 36 that allows the customer to wear the purse on the shoulder. It may be hooked onto two metal loops inside the clutch potion. The metal loops may have a hinge base that is adhered to the underside of the top piece of the clutch portion back panel, while the loop portion may be free to rotate 180 degrees. The metal loops may stick out of the clutch portion with the chain strapped attached, and they may also be concealed within when all parts of the Shadow Clutch purse are closed. The preferred material for the strap is a 7 mm gold-tone chain.

There may be a small rectangular clasp closure 34 at the top of the Shadow Clutch that allows the clutch portion to open and close. When mounted onto the clutch portion, the length of the clasp may be parallel to length of the back panel. Half of the clasp may be mounted on the center of the top portion of the back panel allowing the other half of the clasp to attach to the small notch in the center of the top piece of the magnet cup divider panel. When the clasp closure is pushed backward towards the back of the Shadow Clutch purse, it releases itself from the little notch located in the center of the top piece of the magnetic cup divider panel. This action enables the clutch portion to open and close. The approximate dimensions for the clasp closure may be as follows: 2.5 cm (length)×1.5 cm (width)×1.5 cm (height) and the preferred material for the clasp closure is gold-tone metal.

Latches may be provided on each side of the shadow box section of the Shadow Clutch purse, so that the shadow box portion does not fall open when the clutch is opened. These latches may be off-the-shelf two-part jewelry box catch latches that can be purchased from a hardwood store or may be custom manufactured. One part of the latch may be screwed onto the center of the front display panel and the other may be screwed to the magnetic cup divider panel, allowing both parts to meet in the middle. The approximate dimensions for the latches may be as follows: 3 cm (length)×1.25 mm (width)×1.5 cm (height). The preferred material for the latches is gold-tone metal.

The bottom of the Shadow Clutch purse may have four pegs 38 symmetrically spaced apart, which enable it to stand up vertically without the hinges touching the surface it is standing on. One peg may be located at each corner on the bottom of the Shadow Clutch purse, about 0.5 cm from each of the sides of the bottom panels and 0.25 cm from the top or bottom of the bottom panels. The approximate dimensions for the bottom pegs may be as follows: 1 cm (diameter)×1 cm (height). The preferred material for the pegs is gold-tone metal.

The decorative pieces may consist of three parts: a truffle, a candy cup, and a magnetic piece at the bottom. The approximate dimensions for the decorative truffle may be as follows: 2.75 cm (diameter)×1.75 cm (height). The preferred material for the truffle may be polymer clay. Since the truffles can each have unique designs, they may be custom manufactured. The approximate dimensions for the candy cup may be as follows: 3 cm (diameter)×2 cm (height). The thickness of candy cups' side walls may be 1.25 mm and the thickness of the bottom may be 2.5 mm. A thicker bottom will ensure the sturdiness of the decorative truffle piece. The preferred material is gold-tone metal. The approximate dimensions for the magnet bottom may be as follows: 2 cm (diameter)×0.25 cm (height).

The truffle pieces may be glued inside the candy cups just as edible truffles would look in candy cups. The magnetic pieces then may be adhered beneath the candy cups (in the center) in order for the decorative piece to attach to the magnet cups in the magnetic cup divider panel of the Shadow Clutch purse. Different decorative pieces as a whole may be interchanged within the Shadow Clutch purse.

The magnetic parts of the decorative pieces are designed to fit into the magnet cups in the magnetic cup divider panel of the shadow box section. The truffle and candy cup portion may be made to look as if they are resting on the acrylic base of the magnetic cup divider panel. The decorative pieces may be placed in whatever order or pattern desired on the magnetic cup divider panel. The decorative pieces are visible in the shadow box section from the outside due to the clear acrylic window of the front display panel. No artificial light source is needed to illuminate the decorative pieces.

Many modifications and variations may of course be devised given the above description of a preferred embodiment for implementing the principles of the invention in the present disclosure. It is intended that all such modifications and variations be considered as within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims. 

1. A clutch purse having a user-selectable display of decorative pieces comprising: a front display panel provided with a transparent window inset for viewing decorative pieces selected by a user and installed in the clutch purse from a front side thereof, a shadow box portion having a divider panel with an array of attachment devices for holding the user-selected decorative pieces thereon, wherein said front display panel forms a front closure on a front side of said shadow box portion with its divider panel, and a clutch portion openably hinged to said shadow box portion, wherein said clutch portion forms a back closure on a back side of said shadow box portion with its divider panel.
 2. The clutch purse according to claim 1, wherein each attachment device is a magnetic cup which magnetically holds a magnetic piece provided on a bottom part of a respective decorative piece.
 3. The clutch purse according to claim 1, wherein an openable clasp is provided on the clutch portion and shadow box portion to allow the clutch portion to be opened from and closed to the shadow box portion.
 4. The clutch purse according to claim 1, wherein the front display panel is comprised of five main pieces: a front piece formed with the window inset, a top piece, a bottom piece, and two side pieces, wherein the front piece with the window inset serves as the front closure for the shadow box portion, the top and bottom pieces meet and close with matching pieces of the shadow box portion, and the two side pieces meet and close with matching side pieces of the shadow box portion.
 5. The clutch purse according to claim 4, wherein the window inset is located in the center of the front piece and reveals the decorative pieces held behind the window in the shadow box section.
 6. The clutch purse according to claim 1, wherein the clutch portion is comprised of five main pieces: a back panel piece, top and bottom pieces, and two side pieces, wherein the back panel piece serves as the back closure of the clutch portion, the top and bottom pieces meet and close with matching top and bottom pieces of the shadow box portion, and the two side pieces meet and close with matching side pieces of the shadow box portion.
 7. The clutch purse according to claim 1, wherein the clutch portion is provided with a chain stopper that restricts its opening from the shadow box portion.
 8. The clutch purse according to claim 1, wherein the front display panel and shadow box portion are joined together by hinges on a bottom part of the clutch purse.
 9. The clutch purse according to claim 8, wherein bottom pegs are provided symmetrically spaced apart on the bottom part of the clutch purse to enable the clutch purse to stand up vertically on a surface with clearance for the hinges.
 10. The clutch purse according to claim 1, wherein the shadow box portion and the clutch portion are secured together by hinges on a bottom part of the clutch purse to allow the portions to be opened apart up to 180 degrees.
 11. The clutch purse according to claim 1, wherein the shadow box portion and the clutch portion are secured by a chain stopper that restricts them from opening beyond 180 degrees.
 12. The clutch purse according to claim 1, wherein the clutch portion is provided with a chain strap to allow a customer to wear the clutch purse on the shoulder.
 13. The clutch purse according to claim 1, wherein the decorative pieces may each consist of three parts: a truffle, a candy cup, and a magnetic piece at a bottom part of the decorative piece for attachment to a respective magnet cup on the shadow box divider panel.
 14. The clutch purse according to claim 1, wherein the decorative pieces are arranged behind the window inset of the front display panel that is clear and transparent, and no artificial light source is needed to illuminate the decorative pieces.
 15. The clutch purse according to claim 1, wherein the front display panel, shadow box portion and the clutch portion are secured together by hinges on a bottom part of the clutch purse to allow the portions to be opened apart up to 180 degrees, and the shadow box portion and the clutch portion are secured by a chain stopper that restricts them from opening beyond 90 degrees. 